Downloadable Micro Lessons

New Downloadable Video Lessons!

NEW! Frank Vignola and Bucky Pizzarelli Video Transcription

Moonglow was written by Eddie DeLange and has always been one of the most popular standards. Here is a concert video performance with full transcription of Frank Vignola and Bucky Pizzarelli playing this masterpiece at a performance in Sacramento, California.

Along with the video performance, you receive the pdf manuscript with TAB of both Frank’s 6 string and Bucky’s 7 string part as well as the score.

NEW! Let’s Jam with Frank and Vinny – 10 Song Play Along

MP3 Play-Along with PDF charts.

Jamming is the most effective way to learn songs and to learn how to improvise. Jamming builds endurance, speed and groove. Here are 10 Classic songs and progressions for you to jam along with Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo. You get a lot of solo time as well as time to accompany and play rhythm guitar with these two masters of the guitar. Frank and Vinny have jammed with the greats. These 10 songs best represent which songs are called when jamming with other musicians.

You receive 10 mp3 play along tracks and 10 pdf charts with the Manuscript/TAB and a text sheet for each tune full of tips. Each of Frank’s solos are written out in Manuscript and TAB.

40 Chord Melody Riffs for the 2 – 5 – 1 Progression

Here are 40 Chord Melody Riffs for the 2 – 5 – 1 progression, which we find in basically every jazz standard. There are 8 different riffs in 5 different keys. Learning these riffs will help you with your chord melody solos giving you many different ideas of how to construct chord melody solos. Whether you are putting one of these juicy little riffs in your next chord melody solo or using as an introduction or interlude, these 40 riffs are sure to help you in your pursuit of playing and improvising using chord melody.

Chord Melody Arrangement – Always

“Always” is a popular song written by Irving Berlin in 1925, as a wedding gift for his wife, whom he married in 1926, and to whom he presented the substantial royalties. Although Groucho Marx claims Berlin wrote the song “Always” for The Cocoanuts, he never meant for the song to be included in the play.

This Chord Melody Arrangement is a waltz and can be played Rubato (without tempo) or in tempo. The pdf arrangement is written in manuscript and TAB. There are three video examples also included. One is the arrangement played out of tempo. Two is played slowly or in practice tempo. The third is played at performance tempo.

Chord Melody Arrangement – Tea For Two

Tea for Two is a song from the 1925 musical No, No, Nanette with music by Vincent Youmans and lyrics by Irving Caesar. This chord melody arrangement is in the style of Count Basie. This is a classic song that is a must know for any serious student of the Standards. You get pdf manuscript with TAB and two demonstration videos at two different tempos.

Chord Melody Arrangement – I’ll See You In My Dreams

I’ll See You In My Dreams was one of the greatest successes for Isham Jones. This song was America’s #1 for seven weeks in late 1924. Here is a cool chord melody for this classic jazz standard. Performed at two tempos, you receive pdf manuscript with TAB and two demonstration videos at different tempos.

20 Major Chord Riffs Using Neighboring Tones

A neighboring tone is a note one or two half steps away from a chord tone. These 20 major chord riffs concentrate on using neighboring tones to make musical ideas or riffs. These riffs are usable major chord licks that you can play during your next solo at the jam or simply use to create some beautiful melody. You get the pdf manuscript with TAB and also receive 5 demonstration video files with 4 riffs per video segment. Each riff is played through 4 times in succession. Practice these riffs using different fingerings and in different positions as well as playing them in other keys.

5 Chord Melody Studies using Standard Chord Progressions

10 video’s, 5 mp3 tracks, manuscript, text and TAB. Here are 5 challenging chord melody studies or solos for common standard chord progressions. The changes for Autumn Leaves, Satin Doll, Blue Bossa, I’m Beginning to see the Light and Sentmental Journey are used for the 5 challenging chord melody studies.

There is a practice video for each chord melody study so you can practice the study very slowly. Along with the manuscript and TAB, you also get a demonstration video of Frank playing the study along with bass and drums rhythm section. The Bass and Drums real musician mp3 play along tracks are also included so you can jam along.

Improvisation – Triad Training: Using Triads to create musical ideas

This lesson is going to concentrate on triads. The Root, 3rd and 5th of every chord. There are two triads we will deal with. Major and Minor. Major Triads are 1, 3, 5 and Minor triads are 1, b3, 5. If we are aware of the triad of every chord we are playing then we are assured to be in the right position. Knowing the triads also gives us the ability to choose good starting and ending notes for our improvised musical phrases.

We will be working with two grips on two sets of three strings. Strings 1, 2, 3 and strings 2, 3, 4. You simply have to become familiar with the notes on the 4th and 3rd strings as these will always be the Root note of the chord. Future volumes will address the application of different inversions (see Truefire course, Inversion Excursion). But for now, in order to develop a solid foundation we will stick with Root Position Triads for all chords.

Included in this lesson, there are 10 exercises based on 5 different standard chord progressions. The first chorus of each progression I demonstrate the triad played straight. In the 2nd chorus, I alter the triad either rhythmically or by adding a scale tone and we start to create musical ideas.

Each exercise is written out in Manuscript and TAB. A video demonstration of each exercise is included as well as the “Real Musician” Bass and Drums play along mp3 tracks.

Chord Melody – Bach Suite No 2 – Polonaise

Suite No.2 originally in B minor is very much in French style, as were many compositions of this kind in Germany in the first half of the eighteenth century, when French national taste was predominated. The Polonaise section of this suite is melodic and meant to be played for dancing.

In this chord melody version I change the key to Emin and slow it down in order to soak in the rich harmonies of Bach which are very much like the gypsy jazz style chords. Minor keys, the use of the 4 minor chords and the beautiful use of the flat 9 is what I love about Bach.

20 Be-Bop Licks (Straight Ahead) for the 2-5-1 progression

Here are 20 very cool sounding, straight ahead Be Bop licks for the 2-5-1 progression. These are usable, swinging and lyrical licks. Play these licks at different tempos and always look for other positions besides what’s written. 4 licks for 5 different keys. You get demonstration videos for each of the licks in addition to the PDF Manuscript with TAB. In the demonstration video I play each lick twice through.

20 Guitar Riffs Utilizing the Interval of a 6th

A rather long title but these guitar riffs concentrate on using the popular sounding interval of a 6th. Play these riffs at different tempos and in different positions. Be able to sing the riff as you play it. This is very good for the ear to finger connection.

There are 10 riffs and 10 variations (20 total riffs) in 3 different keys. I use common chord progressions like 1-6-2-5, 2-5-1, 1-5-1, etc… Each lick has video demonstration, Text and PDF Manuscript with TAB. Each video demonstration repeats the riff and variation over and over so you can really get it in your ear and under your fingers. 10 Riffs and a variation for each is also known as call and response or question answer meaning the initial riff is played and then a response or answer is played which is based on the initial musical themed riff. You can use different notes with the same rhythm, different rhythms with the same notes, add notes or alter notes. It is like having a musical conversation and a great way to develop melodic and lyrical improvisations.

Whispering Chord Melody Arrangement

In this arrangement of the Vincent Rose classic, Whispering, I utilize neighboring chords and simple diatonic triads. Sometimes simple triads alongside neighboring chords sound so good, especially for an old time song like Whispering. PDF Manuscript with TAB accompanies two video demonstrations using two different tempos.

Composer, Vincent Rose was a musician and band leader. Vincent Rose has one of the longest histories as a band leader. He achieved much popularity with his Montmartre Orchestra in the 1920s, and recorded with the group for RCA. Born: 1880, Palermo, Italy. “Whispering” was most famously recorded by Paul Whiteman and his Ambassador Orchestra on August 23, 1920, for Victor. Whiteman — Denver-born, ex-army, and self-acclaimed “King of Jazz” flourished in popularity from series of hits beginning in 1920 with his release of “Whispering”, an eleven- week U.S. No. 1 hit, which stayed 20 weeks in the charts and sold in excess of two million copies.

It Had To Be You Chord Melody

It Had To Be You is a popular song written by Isham jones in 1924. It has been covered by just about every jazz artist you can think of. Here is a chord melody arrangement that I hope you will enjoy. You get pdf manuscript with TAB and video demonstration.

20 Blues Infused 2-5-1 Be Bop Licks

Blues and Jazz go hand in hand. Without the Blues, there is no Jazz. These 20 licks focus on infusing the Blues into Be Bop. Essentially combining the two very distinctive styles. Play these licks at different tempos, in different keys and always look for other fingerings besides what’s written. Notice how the Tonic Blues Scale works so well against the Dominant V7 chord. It creates tension and then release when landing on the 1 chord. Included are pdf manuscript with TAB, Video demonstration of each lick and text.

10 Horizontal Chromatic Scale Exercises

These 10 horizontal exercises are written to help develop your horizontal playing skills. They are great warm ups and each exercise is just perfect to add to your daily practice routine. Remember to play each exercise on each of the 6 strings. Different tempos are also encouraged. 10 videos accompany each of the 10 exercises in the PDF Manuscript with TAB.

Each Practice Video and MP3 are at 85 BPM. Play along with this practice along track until you are comfortable and then move onto the performance tempos. Stay relaxed, don’t rush and always listen to the drums and bass for the down beat trying to play downbeats exactly at the same time. This ensures good timing and helps develop a good groove.

On each Video Performance Demonstration, I play the written melody then jam for the remaining choruses. Each MP3 Play Along track allows you to play the written melody with me then jam a solo with the trio. It’s a great way to learn Standards. Try playing the original melodies to these progressions as well.

10 Jazz Rhythms, 70 Example Riffs

In this lesson we tackle jazz rhythms. As jazz guitarists we concentrate so much on theory and melody but not too much on rhythm. These are 10 very common jazz rhythms and 7 riffs that accompany each rhythm totaling 70 cool jazz riffs you can use.

You get 20 demonstration videos, 20 MP3’s and PDF Manuscript with TAB.

Each rhythm comes with 7 example riffs. First be able to play, tap and sing the rhythm using one note. I always play the rhythm with a C note to start each MP3 and video demonstration. I play through each 2 bar riff twice exactly as written on the PDF manuscript with TAB.

Each 2 bar riff is demonstrated at two tempo’s. 80 bpm (beats per minute) and 140 bpm. Both tempos work well with these jazz riffs as the rhythms are common and can be used at all tempos. I suggest you practice these rhythms at all tempos and try adding your own notes.

I read manuscript so do not always use the fingerings I put for the TAB. I strongly suggest with these and all studies that you figure out different positions to play them in always looking to expand your knowledge of the fingerboard.

3 Bossa Nova Etudes – Play Along

Bossa Nova Music was brought to America from Brazil by the late great guitarist Charlie Byrd. The Brazilian rhythm inspired many great jazz artists and jazz composers. Here are 3 Bossa Etudes using 3 of the most famous Bossa Nova chord progressions.

For each Etude, you get a demonstration video, an MP3’s (one with lead and one without lead) and the PDF manuscript with TAB. This totals 3 Video’s, 3 MP3’s and a PDF manuscript with TAB.

The chord progressions used are similar to the following classics: Girl From Ipanema, Blue Bossa, A Day In The Life

In the Performance video I play the written melody then improvise for the rest of the choruses. On the Performance MP3, I play the melody on the first chorus. The rest of the choruses are left open for you to improvise with the real band rhythm section.

“If I Had You” Chord Melody Arrangement

If I Had You is a romantic love song written in 1928 by Ted Shapiro, Jimmy Campbell and Reg Connelly. It has become a jazz standard performed by many great artists including Nat King Cole, Roy Eldridge and Stephane Grappelli. This particular chord melody arrangement makes use of some spread inversions for the A section then closed tight inversions for the bridge.

You get practice and performance tempo video demonstrations as well as MP3’s along with the PDF Manuscript with TAB.

10 Blues Etudes in the Swing Style

Here are 10 Blues Etudes written in the Swing Style. Each etude is written based on a particular and unique riff. Each etude is in a different key. Each of the 10 swinging etudes come with a video demonstration. Each etude is written out in Manuscript and TAB. Each etude also comes with an MP3 play along track.

On each video demonstration I play the etude 2 times through and then jam on the last choruses hopefully giving you some new ideas to play on the blues. On each audio play along MP3 track, the etude is played through 2 times and then you have the opportunity to jam the blues for the last few choruses of each etude.

Improvisation – Connecting Chord Tones

In this lesson we will concentrate on playing and connecting chord tones using the chord progression similar to Autumn Leaves.. The exercises are written to show you how to play a particular pre determined chord tone through a chord progression. We start by playing just the Root of every chord in the progression. Then the 3rd of every chord. Finally the 5th of each chord. Then I will demonstrate three ways you can connect the chord tones. Mix this with some jazz style phrasing and voilà, you have some tools to create a melodic improvised solo.

Each of the 6 exercises come with PDF manuscript with TAB, Video demonstration, practice along MP3, and MP3 play along “with the band” audio files.

101 Ways To Play a One Octave C Major Scale

A revolutionary new way to learn the fingerboard. PDF Manuscript with TAB, Video demonstration of each of the 101 ways to play the scale.

101 Ways To Play a One Octave C Major Scale is a revolutionary new way to learn the fingerboard. The guitar fingerboard is complex as we know. Many, many books have tried to uncover the mystery of the fingerboard and connecting your ears to your fingers. I think I have developed an extremely easy way to finally start to understand the fingerboard outside of the standard 6 positions.

There are well over 100 ways to play a one octave C major scale on the guitar. I have written 101 ways to play the C scale organizing them in a logical sequence in order for you to start connecting your ears to your fingers.

There are many different fingerings you can use so I did not write out any one particular fingering. You can see what fingerings I use by watching the video clips. I change the fingerings so I do not get locked into memorizing one fingering.

10 Chord Melody Introductions

Many students have asked me about introductions or what to play when they are asked to play an introduction. The best way I felt to teach introductions was to write out 10 examples of what I would play when playing an introduction. Each Introduction has its own video and I repeat the introduction over and over again so you can really internalize it. I use different tempos for each introduction. I encourage you to play these at variable tempos.

I wrote 5 in the key of C and 5 in the key of G. You can transpose them into other keys simply by moving the example up to another fret or key. Please see transposing/movable forms video tutorial for more information on this subject. You get 10 demonstration videos, Manuscript book with TAB, text file and transposing/ movable forms tutorial video.

24 Melodic 2-5-1 Riffs

Here are 24 beautifully crafted, melodic and swinging four 4 measure riffs in six keys that can be used over the ever popular 2-5-1 chord progression which is in just about every standard. Each riff is played twice through at a slow practice tempo and then also at tempo 120 with rhythm section. Video demonstration of each riff and PDF Manuscript book with TAB are included.

In the practice and tempo 120 video segments, there is one video for each key and each 4 measure riff is played twice. You can try these riffs using other 2-5-1 play along tracks as well. Also, try to play these riffs in other positions and using all four fingers as starting points. This is a good way to not only internalize the riff but learn more about the fingerboard.

Tico Tico Guitar Arrangement

Tico Tico is the original title of the renowned Brazilian piece composed by Zequinhq de Abreu in 1917. This solo guitar rendition is a technical workout as well as a must learn for any performing and practicing guitarist. Included are the PDF Manuscript with TAB and 3 videos. One rhythm play along video, one lead video and one practice tempo video where the piece is performed extremely slow.

10 Diminished Studies

The Diminished Scale is one of the most popular symmetrical scales on the guitar. It is an 8 note or Octatonic Scale built by alternating whole and half steps. Each diminished scale brings a unique sound to both diminished chords and dominant 7th chords. Here are 10 Diminished Studies that focus on cool patterns that you have probably heard on many recordings. These 10 exercises focus on popular diminished patterns and licks.

Whole Tone Studies

In music, a whole tone scale is a scale in which each note is separated from its neighbors by the interval of a whole step. There are only two complementary whole tone scales, both six-note or Hexatonic scales. The two Whole Tone Scales or Hexatonic Scales are:G-A-B-Db-Eb-F and Ab-Bb-C-D-E-F#. Here are 11 Whole Tone (Augmented) Studies and 8 different positions for the Whole tone scale. Use these studies to get that Augmented Whole Tone sound in your ears and connected to your fingers.

10 Scale Workouts for Jazz Guitar

This Scale Workout for Jazz Guitar book focuses on 10 exercises utilizing jazz rhythms, swing 8ths and patterns that are commonly used in Jazz. A video demonstration play along includes 3 tempo’s for each exercise. Plus you get a pdf book of 12 positions for the C Scale so you can play these exercises all over the fingerboard. Plus a video tutorial on Swing 8th notes, transposing and a video overview of picking and fingerings. A great package and a great way to build up your jazz technique. 15 video’s and 25 pages of manuscript.

10 Scale Workouts for the Intermediate Guitarist

This Scale Workout for the Intermediate Guitarist book focuses on 10 super duper technique building exercises. A video demonstration play along includes 3 tempo’s for each exercise. Plus you get a pdf book of 12 positions for the C Scale so you can play these workouts all over the fretboard. Plus a video tutorial on transposing, picking and fingerings. A great package and a great way to build up your technique. 14 video’s and 19 pages of manuscript.

Chord Melody Arrangement – You Made Me Love You

You Made Me Love You was a huge Pop Instrumental Hit for the great trumpeter, Harry James. In this solo chord melody arrangement, Since the melody has a lot of chromaticism, I use a lot of chromatic block chord movement.You will also notice a fair amount of 13th chords used as a substitution for dominant chords. You receive 2 video examples. One for practice and the other one at performance tempo. PDF manuscript with TAB. Bonus MP3 also included.

40 Juicy Substitutions for the 2-5-1 Progression

Here are 40 of the juiciest chord substitutions I could come up with for the 2-5-1 progression. Try them out on your favorite tunes one at a time. Remember that depending on the melody will determine which substitutions to use. If the melody note is on the Root you obviously wouldn’t play a substitution with the Major 7th on top. So, use your ears to determine which substitutions sound best. Remember these are movable forms so you can play these substitutions in all 12 keys. You get 2 video files, manuscript W/ CHORD GRIDS and text.

Common Tone Exercise

Common Tone Practice and usage is a great improvisational tool. I learned this exercise from the great Joe Pass. Basically you are using the same tone and altering the chords while keeping the same common tone on top of the chord. In this exercise we go through all 12 keys with an A note on top using both major and minor chords. A valuable exercise for ear training, scalar practice and improvisation.

Remember that these are suggested scales to use for the chords. There are others that can be used. For example, there are different minor scales. Try using the harmonic minor scale instead of the dorian or natural minor scale I played. In other words experiment with the different scales to continue developing your ear.

Also, try these scales using different fingerings and in other area’s of the fingerboard. There are so many options of where to play a scale or phrase on the guitar so it’s important to continually work on playing scales, melodies and phrases all over the fingerboard trying to utilize all of the options. You get video, manuscript w TAB and text.

15 Chord Melody Riffs

We all learn single note riffs. Now it’s time to learn some chord melody riffs or chord solo riffs. Riffs and chord licks like those used by the masters are presented here. 15 in total based on the 1-6-2-5 chord progression. 5 in the key of C, 5 in G and 5 in the key of F are presented here. Please play them in all keys by moving them up and down the fingerboard. Remember, using movable forms you can play these riffs in all 12 keys.

Ultimate inversion Book

This Ultimate Inversion book has over 1000 pages of inversions covering all chord groups in all 12 keys. This is the only book of inversions you will ever need. You get over 1000 pages of inversions in all 12 keys

Frank Vignola Favorites with Bonus Video Concert Footage

A compilation of Frank’s favorite tracks featuring Frank in many different combinations. He loves to go in the studio a few times a year and record with his favorite artists on the scene today. This compilation is the result of 10 years of recording projects that are mostly unreleased. He teams with a handful of his favorite musicians including Bucky Pizzarelli, Mark Egan, Bria Skonberg, Vinny Raniolo, Olli Soikelli, Ted Nash, John DiMartino, Matt Flinner, Casey Driessen, Josh Pinkham, Frank Wess, Pete Coco, Joe Ascione and Rich Zukor. Traditional Standards mixed with a few originals and of course a lot of hot and sweet jamming!

Chord Melody Arrangement – Somebody Loves Me

George Gershwin’s, Somebody Loves Me, written in 1924 is one of the greatest of all the Standards. In this chord melody arrangement you will notice diatonic movement of chords and the use of the flat 9 (diminished fingering) while moving between I minor and V dominant. Using the bass end of the guitar to play some fills in between chord melody statements is a technique used in this arrangement.

Video Transcription: Gypsy Mania

Gypsy Mania is an original composition that was written as a tribute to the great Django Reinhardt who started the Gypsy Jazz Guitar craze back in the 1930’s. The performance video is from a concert at the Vicenza Guitar Festival in Italy. This show was produced by the great guitar enthusiast Pierpaolo Adda from Soave, Italy. It was a special evening and this is one of the better versions Vinny and I have pulled off. It must be the pasta. 🙂
Three practice close up video versions are included as well as the Score and Manuscripts TAB for each of the guitars. We also have included a track from the out of print, Limited Edition, Looking Up CD-Live Performance for enjoyment. Put it on your desktop and play it for inspiration.
-3 Practice m4v close up of the hands video’s
-26 pages of PDF manuscript with TAB
-MP3 of studio version

How to use:
View the Live version video.
Open the PDF Manuscript Folder and print out the music. Follow the lead sheet while listening to the mp3. Play along with the mp3 track using the Lead Sheet.The Learning Tempo melody video is played really slow with a metronome so you can see and play along with each phrase. Play the rhythm along with this video as well using the Lead Sheet. The Learning Tempo is a great tool and extremely useful for all aspects of your guitar playing. Guitar 1 and Guitar 2 practice videos are played a little faster with close up view so you can see and play along at a more moderate tempo.

Chord Melody Study: All By Myself

Here is a chord melody arrangement of the Irving Berlin Classic, All By Myself. In it you will notice chromatic movement of chords when playing a melody note outside of the “scale”. You will also notice some chromatic single note lead ups to melody with chords. A great technique. This is meant to be played ala Count Basie slow swing style.

You get two videos for practice tempo and performance tempo and a pdf manuscript with TAB. Enjoy!

Adding the Flat 9

This tutorial will address adding a Flat 9 to a Dominant 7th chord. This is a very gypsy Django like sound that guitarists should be familiar with. I am asked often about this tonal center by students all over the world. I have come up with what I think is a simple three part approach for learning this Flat 9 sound. I have included pdf manuscripts with TAB. You may want to print them while watching video tutorial. In the extended tutorial video I demonstrate and teach about this gypsy sound, go over the derivation of the Flat 9 sound and give you some key exercises to practice.

There are 5 videos of the exercises and riffs that are included with the PDF manuscripts/TAB.

Playalong with Frank Vignola

The concept is simple. Let’s Jam is the concept here. You are given a Lead Sheet and an MP3 track. The arrangements are simple and basically the same for every song so it’s easy to get started Jamming some songs together as we go back and forth playing the chords and the melody one chorus at a time. Included are charts and MP3 jam tracks for: China Boy, Indiana, Limehouse Blues, My Melancholy Baby, Peg O’ My Heart, St James Infirmary Blues, When Your Smiling, Whispering, World Is Waiting For The Sunrise, You Made Me Love You

I will always play the 1st chorus melody as written while you play the chords along with bass and rhythm guitar 2. The 2nd chorus you play the melody and I play the rhythm. The 3rd chorus (when applicable) I play the melody but jazzed up a bit using rhythmic variations. The 4th and final chorus you will jazz up the melody. Tune up to A=440 and let’s start the jam!

Please note: There is a Bonus Folder you receive which contains 3 recordings of songs presented in this volume for your enjoyment. Two of the tracks I recorded with Bucky Pizzarelli and one is a guitar solo.